Alonso backs Penders after own goal in Chelsea loss to Spurs

Summarised from 3 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 27 Oct, 14:02 · Archive

Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders scored an own goal in a 2-0 defeat to Tottenham on Saturday, but manager Xabi Alonso said he retains confidence in the 21-year-old.

Chelsea lost 2-0 to Tottenham at Stamford Bridge on Saturday in a rare away victory for Spurs, their first win at Chelsea since 2018. Goalkeeper Mike Penders, aged 21, made his first Premier League start after Emiliano Martinez suffered a broken jaw. Penders punched the ball into his own net to gift Tottenham their opening goal.

Manager Xabi Alonso expressed continued confidence in the young goalkeeper. 'It's part of the business; you need to deal with mistakes and we keep confidence in Mike,' Alonso said. 'We win and we lose together and it's part of the job to deal with mistakes, myself as well as everyone.' Centre-back Maxence Lacroix added that Penders is 'a young goalkeeper with a lot of talent' who 'will learn from this'.

Alonso also provided an update on forward Joao Pedro, who missed the Tottenham match due to a thigh injury. 'He has an injury on his thigh. He will be a few weeks out,' Alonso said. 'He's a key player. We will miss him. But we have to be ready to deal with the injury and be competitive.' Pedro has scored five goals and made three assists in the Premier League this season.

How it is being reported

• Chelsea: Xabi Alonso reveals Cole Palmer talks after Tottenham red cardBlues’ night unravelled after star man was sent offEvening Standard · 27 Oct, 14:26
• Xabi Alonso provides Joao Pedro injury update before Liverpool vs ChelseaJoao Pedro is set for a “few weeks” on the sidelines following a thigh injuryIndependent Sport · 27 Oct, 13:47
• John Obi Mikel fears ‘superb’ Chelsea star could leave because of Xabi AlonsoXabi Alonso must find a way to up Estevao’s minutes, says Chelsea hero John Obi Mikel (Picture: The Obi One Podcast) John Obi Mikel has called on Xabi Alonso to increase Estevao’s minutes at Chelsea to ensure the forward does not push to leave the club at the end of the season. Estevao enjoyed an…Metro · 26 Oct, 15:21
• Xabi Alonso expects under-fire Chelsea star to ‘prove he can do better’Xabi Alonso had a disappointing afternoon at Stamford Bridge on Saturday (Picture: Getty Images) Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso insists he still has confidence in goalkeeper Mike Penders and expects the youngster will want to prove he can improve on the pitch. The 21-year-old has been thrust into the…Metro · 26 Oct, 14:30

In this story: Xabi Alonso · Mike Penders · Chelsea · Tottenham · Joao Pedro · Emiliano Martinez

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